Contestants compete during their junior bodybuilding competition to mark Olympic Day at the Myanmar Convention Centre in Yangon, Myanmar, June 22, 2024. - Photo: AP
YANGON: Amid challenges, bodybuilding athletes in Myanmar celebrated Olympic Day 2024 on Saturday (June 22) by competing in a bodybuilding and physique sports competition in Yangon.
The event to mark Olympic Day 2024 was held at the Myanmar Convention Center. Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein attended the event and presented prizes to the winners.
Sai Thet Naung Oo, 27, who competed in a men's physique sports contest, said, "The difficulties while preparing for the event include financial limitations and managing eating and sleeping times. We also have to reduce some foods and cut carbohydrates."
"Despite these difficulties, I participate in the Olympic Day competition because I love sport," he said.
"Now, people also come to know that sport is essential for our lives. There are no disadvantages to playing sports. Even walking is beneficial for our health."
"Since 2017, I have been participating in the competitions continuously," he said, adding that he has been involved in the sport since 17 years old.
Another athlete, Kaung Myat Soe, a young competitor from Bago Region, said, "I'm now competing in the junior men's bodybuilding competition.
"When I was a boy, I dreamed of participating in events to mark Olympic Day. I'm very happy to celebrate Olympic Day 2024 by competing in this event."
"One of the challenges right now is rising commodity prices. It is a challenge for athletes like us.
"Despite that, I participate in the competition because I'm passionate about the sport. I only think about competing," he said.
"Another difficulty is balancing work and training," he added.
Pyae Sone, 51, competed in the senior men's bodybuilding competition.
The age range for this competition is from 45 to 60 years old.
"I got first prize in the Olympic Day event in 2019. I have multiple prizes in local bodybuilding competitions," he said.
"I have been involved in the sport since I was 17 years old. My first bodybuilding competition was in an event to mark Olympic Day.
"I was around 21 years old at that time. I was included in the top ten finalists at that time," he added.
Kyaw Zin Tun, 19, attended the event together with his uncle, who competed in the event.
"I've never played this sport before. After watching the athletes, I want to have muscles like them," he said.
"I have heard about Olympic Day. I plan to go to the gym for bodybuilding training later," he said.
U Min Zaw Oo, secretary of the Myanmar Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Federation, told Xinhua, "Like other sports events around the world, this competition will help promote national health and fitness and produce young talents to represent Myanmar in international contests."
Around 70 bodybuilders from across the country competed in three categories: men's bodybuilding, men's athletic physique, and women's athletic physique.
Olympic Day 2024 falls on Sunday, and the theme is "Let's Move and Celebrate." - Xinhua/ANN
